How much do you actually keep? Select your platforms, enter your monthly earnings, and see exactly what each platform takes in fees.
Most platforms allow (or at least tolerate) transitioning to direct relationships after an initial engagement. Once you've proven your value, suggest working directly. You eliminate the middleman fee and the client often saves money too. This is especially effective on Upwork, Fiverr, and TaskRabbit.
Platforms like Contra (0% fee), Toptal (0% to freelancer), and Amazon Flex (0% fee) don't take a cut of your earnings. If your skills qualify, these can dramatically improve your take-home. Even switching from a 20% platform to a 10% one on $3,000/month saves $300/month — $3,600/year.
If a platform takes 20%, price your services 25% higher to compensate. Many clients compare total cost, not your rate. A $60/hour rate on Fiverr (where you keep $48) can be presented as a $50/hour rate on Upwork (where you keep $45) — same ballpark for the client, different take-home for you.
Don't put all your income on one platform. Spread across 2-3 platforms plus direct clients. This reduces risk (platform policy changes, account suspensions) and lets you route different types of work to the platform where fees are lowest.
A simple website, social media following, or email list lets you find clients without any platform fee. The upfront effort pays dividends — every client you land directly is 10-33% more profitable than one through a platform.
Platform fees are just one piece. Factor in payment processing fees, currency conversion charges, withdrawal fees, subscription/listing costs, and the time spent on platform-specific admin. Our calculator accounts for the major fees, but always check the fine print.
The calculations use each platform's standard published fee structure as of 2026. Some platforms (like Etsy and Shopify) have variable costs based on transaction volume, listing count, and plan tier. We use reasonable assumptions (noted on each card) to estimate monthly costs. Always check the platform's current fee page for the most up-to-date numbers.
These platforms don't deduct a direct percentage from your earnings — you receive the full delivery pay plus tips. However, they have significant indirect costs (gas, vehicle wear, insurance) that reduce your real take-home. Use our Side Hustle Profit Calculator to factor in those expenses.
This calculator shows pre-tax take-home after platform fees. As a gig worker, you'll also owe self-employment tax (~15.3%) plus income tax. Use our Tax Withholding Calculator to estimate your full tax burden.
Absolutely — and you should. Many successful freelancers and gig workers split their work across 2-3 platforms to maximize earnings and reduce risk. This calculator helps you see which platforms give you the best return so you can prioritize accordingly.